Ski and snowboarding holidays

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If you are looking for ski holidays or snowboarding holidays, TravelSupermarket can help you to pick the perfect winter sports break. Use our search tool to find ski deals and read our guides for inspiration on where to find the best slopes, nightlife and accommodation.

Iglu Ski February half term deals

Take the whole family of a skiing holiday in February. This popular time of year is in high demand and prices tend to sky rocket so why not take advantage of these great early bird savers from Iglu Ski and save on you 2017 family ski holiday.

How to choose your resort

Choosing the right resort for your holiday is essential to getting your ski or snowboarding break off to a flying start...

Choosing the right resort for your holiday is essential to getting your ski or snowboarding break off to a flying start...

We've put together a list of our favourite resorts to help you out - whether you are a beginner or advanced, you're looking for guaranteed snow or just a quick weekend break away. Click here to see where we reveal as the best resort for your needs.

Are you a beginner or an intermediate skier?

We have tips for whether you are a newbie on the slopes or are improving your skills and confidence every day...

If you are no longer a beginner and already know you love skiing, you should set yourself two objectives - the first is to build your technique and confidence as quickly as possible, and the second is to have as much fun as you can in one week of adrenaline-fuelled action. Here are some suggestions for intermediates on how to achieve both on a skiing or snowboarding holiday.

5 top tips to remember

• Get fit before you go. Try to give yourself 12 weeks to prepare, and follow a fitness guide. Nothing you do will help you improve as much as this.

• Intermediates shouldn't assume they'll be able to pick up where they left off. You should book at least a couple of mornings of ski classes to sharpen up your technique.

• Break yourself in gently. Warm up on the easiest blues on the first day. Tackle the more difficult runs later in the week.

• Pay attention to the quality of the snow. When it's icy or slushy, 'intermediate' pistes can suddenly become much more difficult. Under such conditions, it's best to aim for the easiest slopes.

• Get out of bed early. Unless it's icy, the best snow is to be found on the pistes as soon as the lifts open.

Improving your technique

The problem with many intermediate skiers is that they never get beyond the blue and red pistes in the resorts, preferring to scoot around on terrain they know and feel comfortable with. That's all well and good - but nothing in the mountains is more fun than becoming a better skier or snowboarder, and every new skill mastered will deepen your enjoyment of the trip. What's more, if you don't push yourself and improve, you may well find the experience becoming rather stale.

Intermediate skiers should follow an exercise programme in the weeks before they leave, and book themselves into a ski or snowboard school. You may well think you can already ski, but there's a lot of difference between tackling an easy piste and creaming through thigh-deep powder.

What to take with you

You should already have the basics - hat, goggles, thermals and gloves, and maybe your own jacket and trousers too. Now's the time to invest in a helmet and your own ski boots.

The helmet should be obvious. As an intermediate skier, you're picking up speed now, and tackling steeper slopes. A helmet won't save you in a 30mph collision with a tree, but it will make a lot of difference if you fall over and bang your head.

Buying your own boots is just as important. Rental boots are pretty disgusting things anyway - but the real benefit comes from wearing something that fits you properly and gives you proper control over your skis or snowboard. Along with fitness, a good pair of boots will make a huge difference to whether or not you improve.

Invest in a rucksack too - that way you can load it up with snacks and water, an extra layer of clothing (in case you get cold), and that all-important sun block.

Safety on the slopes

Don't push yourself too far, too fast. Skiing or snowboarding at speed is half the fun of being on the mountains, but there's a time and a place to do it. Don't do it on a crowded slope full of beginners, who aren't in control, and may suddenly change direction. Don't do it on steep or icy slopes where stopping will be all but impossible. Don't do it if you can't see what's coming up next, either because of low cloud, a bend or a bump.

Experimenting with new terrain is part and parcel of improving your skiing and snowboarding too. But take it in easy stages. It's better to find a gentle slope with a few small moguls on it rather than launching yourself into a full-blown bump run. And while it's okay to wander off-piste for a few yards to nibble at the powder, going any further can be very dangerous. Just because a slope is within sight of a piste, doesn't mean its avalanche-proof. These days, most resorts publish codes of conduct for mountain users to follow. Check them out and follow the rules.

Choosing your ski accommodation

It's important to choose the right ski accommodation for your trip. Hotel, apartment or chalet? Which is best for you?

There are lots of different types of ski holiday accommodation available. Of course, the idea is that you don't actually hang about in your holiday accommodation for very long, because you'll be spending all day, every day, out on the slopes having fun. But all the same, which type of accommodation you choose for your ski holiday will have an effect on how much you enjoy your trip. Give it some thought before you book.

5 top tips to remember

• Be aware that the size of your party will have a big effect on the type of accommodation you should choose. A romantic couple travelling on their own are best off in a hotel, for example. Small groups do well in self-catering apartments. Bigger groups will love chalets.

• If you've got non-skiers in the party, the type of accommodation you stay in is more important than normal. Chances are, they'll be spending more time in it than usual, and they'll get very grumpy if it's small and cramped. However, be aware space is sold at a real premium in the mountains, especially in the Alps. If you want bigger rooms, be prepared to pay for them.

• Remember, prices vary wildly between different weeks of the season. If you don't have to travel during New Year, February half term or Easter, avoid them like the plague. You'll save yourself a fortune on the price of your holiday.

• Prices also vary considerably between resorts. A three-star hotel in an A-lister such as Courchevel is considerably more expensive than it will be in a resort without an international reputation. Bear this in mind if your budget is tight and you're looking for somewhere fairly posh in which to stay.

• Standards of hotel keeping vary too. The Austrians tend to run the best hotels.

Hotels

Hotels are as you find them anywhere in the world, although in the mountains many of them have saunas and pools, as well as boot rooms in which to store your ski equipment. At the highest level, they can be palaces, and are a great place to bring a loved one for a romantic getaway. Lower down the price scale, the quality becomes much more uneven. Some are pretty rudimentary, with comically dated interiors. Others are absolutely charming. It's all a bit hit and miss, frankly, but as a rule of thumb you'll find family-run hotels better than the chains at a budget level.

If you are looking for an all-inclusive ski holiday in the same manner you'd take a summer break, you may be disappointed. There are some hotels that offer the full meal and drink deal; however these are the exception rather than the rule on a ski holiday.

Chalet-hotels

Essentially, chalet-hotels are jumbo-sized chalets run by British tour operators. Guests and staff are almost always British, and usually there's a happy-go-lucky and relaxed atmosphere in them. Many tour operators specialising in family skiing holidays use them, in which case they'll probably have their own nurseries and kids' clubs.

The drawback is that chalet-hotels are often quite dated and standards aren't quite as high as you'll find in normal hotels because the staff are seasonal workers, out to enjoy the mountains rather than professionals making a career in the hospitality industry. As a result, they work well for big groups and undemanding families, but couples and those who like their creature comforts should give them a miss.

Some chalets are run as all-inclusive, so check each one if you are looking for an all-in deal.

Self-catering apartments and chalets

A self-catering ski apartment offers one of the best low-budget options, especially if you're prepared to cook for yourself, rather than eat out in the resort's restaurants. The idea of cooking at the end of a big day on the slopes horrifies many skiers: but if everyone pitches in to help and there's a bottle of wine on the go to liven things up, it can be a blast.

There are other benefits: for a small group of, say, six people, it means getting your own place, rather than having to share with strangers in a chalet. Couples should consider them too because of the privacy. Finally, the kitchens are useful each morning when it comes to preparing sandwiches for your rucksack - a great way of saving money because you can avoid the over-priced mountain restaurants.

One word of warning: the cheapest apartments, especially in France and Italy, are tiny. Never mind swinging a cat - you'd give a mouse a bashing in one of them. So don't bring too much luggage!

Ski chalets

Catered chalets for a chalet ski holiday are the staple accommodation of the British ski holiday scene. These are either free-standing mountain houses or apartments, which have at least one member of staff on hand to cook and clean for the guests. How many staff there are, and the quality of the accommodation, depends on the price you pay. So too does the quality of the cooking!

The best catered chalets are run like mini-five star hotels, and are much loved by the CEO and celebrity set. Professional chefs crank out beautiful food every night, and the champagne flows like water. To stay in them you have to book the whole property, and the most expensive, in a popular week, will set you back £50,000! This is where you can find a truly luxurious ski break and enjoy your winter sports break in style. And many of these luxurious ski holiday chalets operate on an all-inclusive basis, so you never have to worry about dipping into that wallet or handbag for a round of drinks.

At the other end of the market, chalets are often very basic. The food is plentiful, but basic too, and if you're unlucky your cook may be working in a kitchen for the very first time.

At whatever price level, however, all catered chalets are sociable places, because everyone eats together, and relaxes together in the same sitting room. This is why they work so well if they're booked in their entirety by groups of friends. If the social chemistry's right, the atmosphere generated will be one of the best parts of the holiday.

They work well for families travelling together, too, and many tour operators specialising in family holidays use chalets to house their guests. The sitting rooms are great places for little ones to play in if it gets cold outside. Some even have their own crèches.

Romantic couples should avoid chalets like the plague, especially during the school holidays.

Guesthouses, B&Bs and pensions

These are essentially small hotels which don't serve dinner (although breakfast is included). In America and Canada they're almost always a good idea (especially for romantic couples): they're usually run by very house-proud owners. In Austria they're usually a safe bet too, though elsewhere they can be very basic. For some people, basic is brilliant, but if you like your accommodation a little cosier, do a bit of searching round the internet to find one which has been enthusiastically reviewed.

Hostels

Finally, across the mountains, you'll find a scattering of hostels. Tour operators never sell them as part of their packages, but they can be found easily enough online. If you're a single traveller in search of cheap accommodation, this is probably your best bet. Groups of four or more may well find that self-catering accommodation is cheaper - in the quieter weeks of the season at least.

Why ski insurance is vital

There is one thing that should never be overlooked when considering a ski or snowboard holiday, and that's a good quality ski insurance policy...

When opting for a holiday on the slopes, having an insurance policy to cover you for all eventualities is very important. Too many people set off with inadequate cover or simply rely on an EHIC card to protect them; however it only takes one fall to turn your fun holiday into a break you'll want to quickly forget.

We recommend that all those taking part in skiing and snowboarding buy a comprehensive insurance policy. We recommend the following minimum levels of cover;

In addition, a winter sports policy should cover for no snow, piste closures, avalanche closure and off-piste skiing, as well as losing an expensive ski lift pass.

In the event of a more a serious injury, where extensive treatment and air ambulance repatriation are needed, the cost could rack up into tens of thousands of pounds. It is therefore essential to check whether emergency transport to hospital, such as a helicopter, as well as transportation back home to the UK is included in the medical expenses cover.

Also ensure that you have cover for your ski equipment if you are taking your own as opposed to renting gear. This type of equipment does not come cheap so ensuring you have decent cover levels with a reasonable level of excess is important.

Never skied before? Read our tips

As a novice skier it can be daunting to know where to start, so we've rounded up our top tips to help make more of your ski holidays...

Beginners

Alright - so you've heard people go on and on about how much they love skiing, and you've decided it's time to join in the fun. But how on earth do you get started? The path from civvy street to the side of a snowy Alp is not an obvious one - so here, to get you started, is a brief introduction to skiing and snowboarding holidays for beginners.

5 top tips to remember

• As a beginner, don't try to organise a ski holiday yourself - you won't have a clue what kind of accommodation to book. It's much better to put yourself into the hands of a specialist tour operator, and buy a travel and accommodation package. The tour operators also have reps on hand in the resort to help you through the confusion of the first two or three days.

• Stay in a catered chalet if you can. Catered chalets are mountain houses or apartments offering guest bedrooms and communal dining, laid on by the tour operator's staff. The atmosphere is usually bright and sociable, and you can pick up lots of advice from the staff and your fellow guests.

• Always, always get professional ski tuition if you are a beginner. Never let your friends teach you. Before long they'll get bored and drag you down something terrifying.

• When thinking about beginners' skiing tuition, do an internet search to see if there is a British ski school in your resort (of course, not necessary in North America). Book it separately from the rest of your holiday if you find one.

• Buy as little as you can for your first ski trip. These days you can even rent your ski clothing.

When to go?

Very roughly, the ski season in the northern hemisphere runs from the end of November until the end of April. The busiest and most expensive times are over New Year, during February half term and over Easter. Avoid them if at all possible (if you must go during the school holidays, Christmas is cheaper). All things considered, January is the best time for skiing beginners. It's cheap and the slopes are quiet (as everyone recovers from the expense of the holidays). It's cold too, which means the snow should be in good shape.

Learn to ski

First thing is to get fit. As a skiing beginner, you won't be going fast enough to give yourself a proper workout, but you'll still progress much more quickly if you're in good shape. Concentrate on your cardio-vascular fitness, your legs and your core strength. Running and cycling are good ways to prepare, so too are sit-ups and squats.

It's also worth sneaking in some early skiing lessons. There are five real-snow indoor ski slopes in the UK, and many more outdoor 'dry' slopes (many of which actually use water to improve the skiing surface). A programme of lessons in any one of them will give you a head start on your fellow classmates in the mountains.

What to take with you

You'll be able to hire boots and skis, or a snowboard, in the resort. You can also rent ski clothing in the UK or borrow a jacket and trousers from friends. If you need to buy it, then check out online auction sites or high street discount stores for discounted gear. Other items you'll need are:

• Goggles. Otherwise you won't see a thing if it snows.

• Gloves.

• A woolly hat or a helmet. At this early stage a helmet is far more important for a snowboarder than a skier.

• Snowboarders also need wrist guards or at least a pair of gloves with built-in wrist protectors. And they will be really thankful for some kind of bum protection too - either a piece of camping mat cut to fit down their trousers, or else a special pair of padded shorts.

• Swimwear. This is something most people forget, but there are great pools at most resorts and a Jacuzzi is a great way to rest those tired muscles after a hard day on the slopes.

Also remember to take plenty of pairs of socks (ski and snowboard boots are very smelly), as well as fleeces, and some old jumpers with which to layer up if it gets cold.

Safety on the slopes

Provided they book their tuition with a recognised ski school, skiing beginners don't have much to worry about. They won't be travelling fast enough to really hurt themselves. The trouble comes when they are dragged around the mountain by their over-enthusiastic friends once the class is over. It's best to stick to the nursery slopes and practice your skiing there.

Snowboarders need to be a bit more careful. If they make a mistake, they're far more likely to fall heavily on their tail bone, wrists or head. It's best to buy the protective gear suggested above before you leave the UK.

Après-ski

Make the most of your winter break with some great après-ski

Après-ski is part and parcel of the ski holiday experience, and if you've never seen a good mountain bar 'going off' at 6.30pm - well, you haven't lived. The sense of euphoria that being in the mountains can bring, plus the extra buzz the adrenaline provides, means the party atmosphere goes from 0-60 faster than you can mumble 'ein bier bitte' at the bar. At the best bars, it's like New Year's Eve every night.

Not all ski resort nightlife is so supercharged, however, and if you want to sample the best of it, you want to shop around. But if you can't bear the idea of being marooned in the middle of 1,000 sweaty, beery twenty somethings, that's fine too: the mountains are full of resorts where a quiet and relaxing drink is the more acceptable means of unwinding after a day on the slopes.

5 top tips to remember for après-ski

Party like an Austrian, not like a Brit. That means stopping off on the way back into the resort and dancing in your ski boots, rather than going out after dinner. Why? Because you'll get into the mood much more quickly, and finish earlier, leaving you relatively fresh for the next day's skiing or snowboarding.

A glass of shandy is a great way to kick off. Actually, make that two. It sounds a bit wimpy, but chances are you'll neck them in a nano-second, because you'll be so thirsty from the slopes. Saves you from getting too drunk too quickly.

Check what they put in the hot wine: take it gently if it includes schnapps!

Don't be put off by the music. Cheesy Austrian music makes a lot of sense when you're dancing in your ski boots.

A good rule of thumb for those looking for a quiet drink is to find a four-star hotel and go for a drink there. Five stars can be a bit starchy. Four stars usually have nice lounges and a more laid-back atmosphere.

Finding the right kind of après-ski

Not all après-ski is the same. In fact, a lot of it can be disappointing if you find yourself in the wrong resort. So here are few rules of thumb by which to steer yourself.

Austrian après-ski is the best. But even so, it's not universally brilliant. If you want the real deal, go for a resort with a reputation for it, such as St Anton, Saalbach, Solden or Mayrhofen.

Italian resorts tend to be lively only at the weekends - unless, like Sauze d'Oulx, they attract a big contingent of Brits.

Lots of the purpose-built French ski resorts suffer from being broken up into 'villages'. This means there are never enough people in any one of them to generate a real buzz. So avoid resorts such as Courchevel, Les Arcs, La Plagne and Tignes which were built according to these concepts. (They do, however, have plenty of places for a quiet drink - though the bars are often small and quite rudimentary). Resorts which have grown into big towns, such as Val d'Isère and Chamonix, are much better.

If you want sophisticated cocktails, then aim for a resort with an upmarket reputation - St Moritz, Lech, Verbier, and Zermatt all do a great line in cool bars for grown-ups.

Beware of the bar with the widescreen TV. Useful for catching up on the scores back home, but an atmosphere-killer.

If the idea of après-ski appalls you, go for a small resort with a family-friendly reputation.

A word of warning about your travel insurance

One important point to note is that most ski and snowboard insurance policies have specific exclusions for accidents caused by excessive alcohol or drug consumption. If you were to hurt yourself after a night out on the tiles, your cover may be void.

This almost certainly applies during the evening itself - unless you can either show the drinking was totally unrelated, or there are other circumstances that apply (for example, someone spiking your drink). It may also apply if it can be shown that any accident suffered on the slopes the next day was directly caused by your drinking the night before.

Group and solo skiers

Want to travel as a group? Or maybe just head out alone?

Ski holidays with large groups of friends or family are a blast. You've got a readymade social life, a vast pool of skiing buddies, and guaranteed night life. It's no wonder so many people take their ski and snowboarding holidays this way. And skiing and snowboarding are very social activities. Any piste, whether green or black, is better skied in company. And all off-piste descents should be tackled as part of a properly organised group, for safety's sake.

But what if your friends and/or family don't want to come skiing with you? Could you go on a solo ski holiday instead? Follow our tips for group and solo ski and snowboard holidays.

Group ski holidays

5 top tips to remember

Give yourself lots of time. Otherwise, you may not find one place that will take you all. Large groups who want to take a holiday at New Year or February half term need to start looking a year in advance.

Shop around for deals. If you've got a large group in tow, you're a very valuable customer. So see what each tour operator can offer in the way of discounts. At the very least, they should offer money off for the organiser. (Some of your group will be horrified to learn that you paid less than they did - but then, they didn't spend long hours setting the trip up, did they?)

Get deposits from everyone, as soon as they express an interest, and before you start to look for accommodation. This will flush out the time-wasters.

Email floor plans of the accommodation to the group, before you book it, and then use it to allocate rooms before you go. This forestalls any arguments about who got the better room, or complaints about the lack of ensuite bathrooms.

If you're a beginner, and you're asked to join a large group, try to get at least one other beginner to go with you - otherwise you'll feel like a second-class citizen, left out of all the action.

What type of accomodation?

It depends how many of you there are. If there are less than 20 of you, you'll probably find a chalet to house everyone - provided you start your search early enough (up to a year in advance in the case of New Year's Eve or February half term if you want an A-list resort).

If there are more of you than this, then a chalet-hotel is the answer. These are hotels run along chalet lines, and have the capacity to house and feed really big groups (don't expect the highest quality of décor and service, though).

Discounts

Party leaders have serious purchasing power. At every stage you should be looking for discounts - from the tour operators, from the ski hire shops, from ski school. The only place you probably won't get a sympathetic hearing is from the lift-pass office.

Skiing together

The cardinal rule of group skiing is - don't ski in a group! At least, not in a mixed-ability group. It may seem like the sociable thing to do, but you'd be much better off splitting up into smaller parties who ski more or less at the same level. You'll actually do group cohesion more harm than good if the experts start dragging the intermediates down slopes that are too steep - and besides, they'll get bored waiting at the bottom for everyone else to follow them.

Ski insurance

Make sure everyone in your group has insurance! Depending on which country you're skiing or boarding in, mountain rescue and medical treatment can be expensive. So too are lost or stolen equipment and delayed flights, so ensure that everyone understands the importance of a good quality winter sports policy.

Solo skiers

5 Top tips to remember

Ski school provides an instant pool of skiing buddies, and it's not just for beginners. Everyone from wobbly second-weekers to off-piste experts are catered for these days.

Many tour operators offer ski hosts who show their clients around the pistes each day. As a solo skier, joining their groups is a great way to get to know the other people staying in your chalet or hotel.

Tour operators also lay on bar crawls during the week - so your après-ski is taken care of, too.

Find out if there is a Ski Club of Great Britain rep in your resort before you go - they provide a ski-hosting service for members (and people thinking of joining), which is another way to ski in company.

Consider joining a group organised from the UK - for example, the Ski Club of Great Britain's Ski Freshtracks Programme, or the travelling ski school, Inspired to Ski.

Solo friendly holidays

Several companies based in the UK organise holidays which are either aimed specifically at solo skiers or snowboarders, or which tend to suit them. In the latter category are the holidays which are designed to help you improve your technique. On them, you'll find plenty of other skiers or snowboarders who want to master a new skill and can't find anyone among their friends and family who has the same ambition. When you book, you can tell the company whether or not you'd like to share a room, and they'll try to match you up with someone of similar age and interests (of the same sex, of course - they're not dating services!).

Regular tour operators are also clued up about the solo-skiing scene - some offer a range of hotels which offer one-person rooms with no single supplement charged.

When to go

Avoid the school holidays like the plague. Holidays during these weeks are far more expensive than at other times of the season, and other adults without children avoid them too.

Picking the right resort

Don't go to the ski resorts with family-friendly reputations. It's better to pick one of the bigger resorts, with good nightlife, which are favoured by the Brits - such as Val d'Isère, Méribel, Sauze d'Oulx and St Anton. That way, you'll have plenty to do in the evenings, and you'll find plenty of your fellow-countrymen in ski school - you don't want to be the only English-speaker there!

Lift passes and equipment

Lift passes and equipment

Follow our great advice on getting the right gear and lift pass.

Gearing up for a ski holiday isn't as hard as it seems. You only need to buy a bare minimum of ski equipment - and the rest can be rented, if you can't borrow it from friends or family. Check out the full list of what to bring, below.

How do I know if my ski boots fit?

The first time you put on a pair of ski boots you won't believe how clumsy they are. But despite what people will tell you, they don't actually need to be uncomfortable. The feel you should be looking for is that of a firm handshake, but not a bone-crunching one. Ski boots need to fit snugly, or else they won't communicate the movements of your legs and feet to the skis, but if they're too tight it quickly becomes counter-productive. You'll be in too much agony to be able to concentrate on what you're doing.

What ski equipment to take with you

Skis, boots and poles. For your first ski holiday, you should rent these when you get to the resort. Expect to pay £40 to £100 all in, depending on the resort. Snowboarders should rent their gear in the UK if they're heading to Italy or Eastern Europe, where snowboarding culture isn't as well established and the rental equipment scarce.

Ski jacket and pants. If you don't know anyone who can lend these to you, you can rent them from companies. Search online for assistance and also check if your chosen ski holiday company can assist you.

Ski goggles. These are essential, but not expensive. A basic pair will cost £20-£30.

Woolly hat. You probably have one of these already!

Gloves. Woolly aren't sufficient because they won't keep out the wind. Expect to spend £20-£30.

Base layer. Otherwise known as 'thermals'. These will keep you dry, and therefore warm.

Fleeces and jumpers. You'll have these at home. The secret to staying comfortable on the slopes is to layer up, between your base layer and jacket. Carrying a rucksack means you can strip off when you get too hot.

Sunscreen. Anything less than SPF 20 won't do.

Protective equipment. Adult skiers don't need protection on their first ski holiday, because they're not travelling fast enough (most resorts require children to wear helmets, which can be rented in the resort). Snowboarders should invest in some body-armour right from the start, because they can fall over spectacularly on their first day. Invest in wrist guards, a helmet, and a pair of padded shorts (hard plastic pads are better than soft foam ones) - and do it before you go to the mountains so you're not chasing round the resort trying to find a stockist on the first night of your holiday and paying higher prices.

Your lift pass

Some ski resorts will allow you to use the lifts on the nursery slopes for free, so you may not need a lift pass for the first few days of your skiing holiday. Check before you buy one! If you do need to open your wallet, make sure you're buying only the basic pass. Many resorts have, over the years, clubbed together to offer joint passes, which allow better skiers and snowboarders to access a wider area. But these passes are more expensive, and you won't do them justice in your first week.

Insuring your equipment and lift pass

One of the benefits of ski insurance is that you're covered if you lose your rental equipment, or if it's nicked - which is not an unknown, especially if you stack it outside a busy après-ski bar on a village street. However, do ensure that you have read the terms and conditions of your policy to ensure you are aware of looking after your equipment, what to do if items are lost or stolen, the levels of cover for any individual item, and any relevant excess that would need to be paid.

It's also worth checking out whether your policy will cover you if you have your lift pass stolen or you lose it. With some passes costing in excess of £100 for a week, it's well worth having this precious item protected. After all, it's your access to the slopes you've been so looking forward to.

Tips for advanced

Get the most from your ski break - Tips for advanced

How do you get the most out of your skiing or snowboarding holiday, now you're really getting a handle on your technique? Here are a few pointers for advanced skiers and snowboarders.

5 top tips to remember

Save money on the quality of your accommodation and spend it on a guide instead. Having someone qualified and experienced on hand to open up the mountain for you will make a huge difference to your skiing or snowboarding experience.

Even if you are an advanced skier or snowboarder, you should never assume you know enough about avalanches. Unless you've lived in the resort where you're skiing, you won't know which slopes are most likely to slide. Many fatal avalanche incidents involve guides from other ski resorts thinking they understand the snow.

Are you properly equipped? And is your equipment all in working order? Check it out before you leave home.

Are you as fit as you were the last time you hit the slopes? If you're not, you'll quickly find your technique will fall apart. So check out an online fitness guide, such as the one at www.welove2ski.com, and get going on those squats and crunches.

Stay off the alcohol if you've got a big day coming up.

How advanced is advanced?

These days, a lot of skiers and snowboarders tend to subdivide this category. At the very least, they like to talk about advanced, expert and freestyle. Be honest with yourself about where you stand in these categories, and design your holiday accordingly. Remember: just because you can ski a black piste when it's covered in freshly-groomed snow, or pull a 360 in the half-pipe, doesn't mean you can handle yourself in a 45-degree couloir when the clouds come down.

Advanced skiers and snowboarders are the ones who have broken away from groomed snow, and are reasonably comfortable on bumps and in powder. They're probably masters of neither yet, and need both tuition and guidance to get the most from their holidays. American-style 'camps', such as those run by the Warren Smith Ski Academy in Verbier, are tailor-made for this kind of rider - taking them into terrain they might never before have attempted, and offering tips on how to deal with it. Many who try them never look back.

Expert skiers and snowboarders are the guys who know how to handle themselves in the toughest terrain, and have probably tackled tricky off-piste descents without guides in a 'home' resort. However, whenever they go to a new resort, they should still always hire a guide. No two mountains ever avalanche in quite the same way.

Freestyle skiers and snowboarders are the terrain park junkies. Obviously, they'd be nuts to visit a resort without a terrain park - but these days some terrain parks are much better than others. The European website 'snow-parks.com' offers a great introduction to the range of quality out there.

These days, there's a growing trend for freestylers to take their tricks out of the park and onto the wider mountain. But it's a dangerous game to play if you don't know the mountain and its avalanche risks.

What to take with you

At the advanced level, it's time to get serious about your equipment. If you don't already have them, it's time to invest in your own all-mountain skis, and high-quality Gore-Tex outer wear to keep you dry even on the sweatiest days. You should buy avalanche transceivers, poles and probes, too - and make sure all your skiing and snowboarding buddies have them as well. One other useful purchase at this stage is a book called 'Staying Alive in Avalanche Terrain' by Bruce Tremper. Reading it is a great way to learn about how little you know.

Safety on the slopes

Advanced skiers, or those who believe they are close to that level, can sometimes find themselves in unexpected and challenging situations on the slopes. In most cases, their existing skills are enough to help them deal with that situation. But there may be times when that challenge is too much to cope with. So, regardless of your skills, take care when you are out on the slopes. Always make sure you have a phone with you - and that people know where you are heading for the day.